 CHAPTER IV Not served to masters. Here's a youth will try it. Would fain serve God, yet give the devil his due? Says Grace before he doth a deed of villainy, and returns his thanks devoutly, win to Zaktin. OLD PLAY The room into which the master of comner plays conducted his worthy visitant was of greater extent than that in which they had first conversed, and had yet more the appearance of dilapidation. Large, oaken presses, filled with shelves of the same wood, surrounded the room, and had at one time served for the arrangement of a numerous collection of books, many of which yet remained, but torn and defaced, covered with dust, deprived of their costly clasp and bindings, and tossed together in heaps upon the shelves, as things altogether disregarded and abandoned to the pleasure of every spoiler. The very presses themselves seemed to have incurred the hostility of those enemies of learning, who had destroyed the volumes with which they had been, here to fore, filled. They were in several places dismantled up their shelves, and otherwise broken and damaged, and more and moreover, mantled with cobwebs and covered with dust. The men who wrote these books, said Lamborn, looking round him, little thought whose keeping they were to fall into. Nor what yeoman service they were to do me, quote Anthony Foster. The cook hath used them for scouring his tuner, and the groom hath had not else to clean my boots with, as many a month passed. And yet, said Lamborn, I have been in cities where such learning commodities would have been deemed too good for such offices. Shaw, Shaw, answered Foster. They are a popish trash, every one of them. Private studies of the mumping old ablet of Ammingdon. The nineteenthly of a pure gospel sermon were worth a cartload of such rakeings of the Camel of Rome. Gada Mercy, Master Tony, fire the faggot, said Lamborn, by way of reply. Foster scowled darkly at him, as he replied. Harkey, friend Mike, forget that name, and the passage which it relates to. If ye would not have our newly revived comradeship, die a sudden and a violent death. Why, said Michael Lamborn, ye were want to glory in the share ye had in the depth of the two old heretical bishops. That, said his comrade, was while I was in the gall of bitterness and bond of iniquity, and applies not to my walk or my ways now that I am called forth into the list. Mr. Michelsedek, maltext, compared my misfortune in that matter to that of the Apostle Paul, who kept the clothes of the witnesses who stoned St. Stephen. He held forth on the matter three Sabbaths past, and illustrated the same by the conduct of an honorable person present, meaning me. I pretty peace, Foster, said Lamborn, for I know not how it is. I have a sort of creeping comes over my skin when I hear the double-quote scripture. Amosigns, man, how couldest thou have the heart to quit that convenient old religion, which you could slip off or on as easily as your glove? Do I not remember how ye were want to carry your conscience to confession, as duly as the month came round? And when thou hath did scour and ad-burnished, and whitewashed by the priest, thou were never ready for the worst villainy which could be devised, like a child who is always readyest to rush into the mire when he has gotten his Sunday's clean jerken on? Trouble not thyself about my conscience, said Foster. It is a thing thou canst not understand, having never had one of thine own. But let us rather to the point, and say to me in one word, what is thy business with me, and what hopes have drawn thee hither? The hope of bettering myself, to be sure, answered Lamborn, as the old woman said when she leapt over the bridge at Kingston. Look you, this purse has all that is left of as round as some as a man would wish to carry in his slot-pouch. You are here while established, it would seem, and as I think, well befriended, for men talk of thy being under some special protection. Nay, it's there not like a pig that is stuck, Mon. Thou canst not dance in a net, and they not see thee. Now I know such protection is not purchased for naught. You must have services to render for it, and in these I propose to help thee. But how if I lack no assistance from thee, Mike? I think thy modesty might suppose that were a case possible. That is to say, retorted Lamborn, that you wouldn't gross the whole work, rather than divide the reward. But be not over greedy, Anthony. Codissness burst the sack and spills the grain. Look you, when the huntsman goes to kill a stag, he takes with him more dogs than one. He has the staunch, lime-hound, to track the wounded-buck over hill and dale. But he hath also the fleet, gaze-hound, to kill him at view. Thou art the lime-hound, I am the gaze-hound, and thy patron will need the aid of both, and can well afford to requite it. Thou hast deep sagacity and unrelenting purpose, a steady, long-breathe malignity of nature. That surpasses mine. But then I am the bolder, the quicker, the more ready, both at action and expedient. Separate, our properties are not so perfect. But unite them, and we drive the world before us. How sayest thou? Shall we hunt in couples? It is a courage proposal, thus to thrust thyself upon my private manners, replied Foster. But thou were it ever an ill-natured welp. You shall have no cause to say so, unless you spurn my courtesy, said Michael Lamborn. But if so, keep thee well from me, Sir Knight, as the romance has it. I will either share your counsels or traverse them, for I have come here to be busy, either with thee or against thee. Well, said Anthony Foster, since thou dost leave me so fair a choice, I will rather be thy friend than thine enemy. Thou art right. I can prefer thee to the service of a patron, who has enough of means to make us both, and a hundred more. And to say truth, thou art well qualified for a service. Boldness and dexterity, he demands. The justice-books bear witness to thy favour. No starting at scruples in his service, why, whoever suspected thee of a conscience. An assurance he must have, who would follow a courtier. And thy brow is as impenetrable as a Milan visor. There is but one thing I would faintly see amending in thee. And what is that, my most precious friend, Anthony? replied Lamborn. For I swear by the pillow of the seven sleepers, I will not be thoughtful in amending it. Why, you gave a sample of it even now, said Foster. Your speech twangs too much of the old stamp, and you garnished it ever and anon with singular oaths, that savour of papestry. Besides, your exterior man is altogether too debauched and irregular to become one of his lordship's followers, since he has a reputation to keep up in the eye of the world. You must somewhat reform your dress, upon a more grave and composed fashion, wear your cloak on both shoulders, and your falling band unrumbled and well-starched. You must enlarge the brim of your beaver, and diminish the superfluity of your trunk-hose. Go to church, or, which will be better, to meeting, at least once a month. Protest only upon your faith and conscience. Lay aside your swashing-look, and never touch the hilt of your sword, but when you withdraw the carnal weapon, in good earnest. By this light, Anthony, thou art mad, answered Lamborn, and haths described, rather the gentleman Usher, to a Puritan's wife, than the follower of an ambitious courtier. Yes, such a thing as thou wouldst make of me, should wear a book at his girdle, instead of a pawn-yard, and might just be suspected of manhood enough to squire a proud dame-citizen to the lecture at St. Antelens, and quarrel in her cause with any flat-capped thread-maker that would take the wall of her. He must ruffle it in another sort that would walk to court in a no-moment's train. Oh, content you, sir, replied Foster. There is a chain since you knew the English world, and there are those who can hold their way through the boldest courses, and the most secret, and yet never a swaggering word or an oath, or a profane word in their conversation. That is to say, replied Lamborn, they are in a trading co-partnery to do the devil's business without mentioning his name in the firm. Well, I will do my best to counterfeit, rather than lose ground in this new world, since thou sayest it is grown so precise. But, Anthony, what is the name of this no-woman, and whose service I am to turn hypocrite? Ah, Master Michael, are you there with your bears? said Foster, with a grim smile. And is this the knowledge you pretend of my concernments? How know you now, there is such a person, in rare room Natura, and that I have not been putting a jade upon you all this time. Thou put a jade upon me, thou sodden-brained gull, answered Lamborn, nothing daunting. Why, dark and muddy as thou thinkest thyself, I would engage in a day's space to sec as clearly through thee and thy concernments, as thou callest them, as through the filthy horn of an old stable lantern. At this moment, their conversation was interrupted by a scream from the next apartment. By the Holy Cross of Abington, exclaimed Anthony Foster, forgetting his Protestantism in his alarm, I am a ruined man. So sane, he rushed into the apartment, once the scream issued, followed by Michael Lamborn. But to account for the sounds which interrupted their conversation, it is necessary to recede a little way in our narratives. It has been already observed that when Lamborn accompanied Foster into the library, they left Tresillian alone in the ancient parlor. His dark eye followed them forth of the apartment, with a glance of contempt, a part of which his mind instantly transferred to himself for having stooped to be, even for a moment, their familiar companion. These are the associates, Amy. It was thus he communed with himself, to which thy cruel levity, thine unthinking and most unmerited falsehood, has condemned him, of whom his friends once hoped far other things, and who now scorns himself, as he will be scorned by others, for the baseness he stoopes to for the love of thee. But I will not leave the pursuit of thee, once the object of my purest and most devoted affection, though to me thou canst henceforth be nothing but a thing to weep over. I will save thee from thy betrayer and from thyself. I will restore thee to thy parent, to thy God. I cannot bid the bright star again sparkle in the sphere it has shot from, but a slight noise in the apartment interrupted his reverie. He looked round, and in the beautiful and richly attired female who entered at that instant by a side door he recognized the object of his search. The first impulse arising from this discovery urged him to conceal his face with the collar of his cloak, until he should find a favorable moment of making himself known. But his purpose was disconcerted by the young lady, she was not above eighteen years old, who ran joyfully towards him, and, pulling him by the cloak, said playfully, Name, my sweet friend, after I've waited for you so long, you come not to my bower to play the masquer. You are a rain of trees into true love and fond affection, and you must stand up at the bar and answer it with face uncovered. How say you, guilty or not? Alas, Amy, said Tresselian, in a low and melancholy tone, as he suffered her to draw on the mantle from his face. The sound of his voice, and still more the unexpected side of his face, changed in an instant the lady's playful mood. She staggered back, turned as pale as death, and put her hands before her face. Tresselian was himself for a moment much overcome, but seeming suddenly to remember the necessity of using an opportunity which might not again occur. He said in a low tone, Amy, fear me not. Why should I fear you? said the lady, withdrawing her hands from her beautiful face, which was now covered with crimson. Why should I fear you, Master Tresselian, or wherefore have you intruded yourself into my dwelling uninvited, sir, and unwished for? Your dwelling, Amy, said Tresselian. Alas, is a prison your dwelling, a person guarded by one of the most sordid of men, but not a greater wretch than his employer. This house is mine, said Amy, mine while I choose to inhabit it. If it is my pleasure to live in seclusion, who shall gain, say me? Your father may then, answered Tresselian, your broken-hearted father, who dispatched me in quest of you with that authority which he cannot exert in person. Here is his letter, written while he blessed his pain of body which somewhat stunned the agony of his mind. The pain is my father than ill, said the lady. So ill, answered Tresselian, that even your utmost haste may not restore him to health. But all shall be instantly prepared for your departure. The instant you yourself will give consent. Tresselian, answered the lady. I cannot. I must not. I dare not leave this place. Go back to my father. Tell him I will obtain leave to see him within twelve hours, from hence. Go back, Tresselian. Tell him I am well. I am happy. Happy could I think he was so. Tell him not to fear that I will come, and in such a manner that all the grief Amy has given him shall be forgotten. The poor Amy is now greater than she dare name. Go, good Tresselian. I have injured thee too, but believe me, I have power to heal the wounds I have caused. I robbed you of a childish heart which was not worthy of you, and I can repay the loss with honors and advancement. Do you say this to me, Amy? Do you offer me pageants of idle ambition for the quiet peace you have robbed me of? But be it so, I came not to a brain, but to serve and to free you. You cannot disguise it from me. You are a prisoner, otherwise your kind heart, for it was once a kind heart, would have been already at your father's bedside. Come, poor, deceived, unhappy maiden, all shall be forgot, all shall be forgiven. Fear not my importunity for what regarded our contract. It was a dream, and I have awaked. But come, your father yet lives. Come, in one word of affection, one tear of penitence, will efface the memory of all that has passed. Have I not already said, Tresselian? replied she, that I will surely come to my father, and that without further delay, then is necessary to discharge other and equally binding duties. Go, carry him the news. I come mature as there is light in heaven, that is, when I obtain permission. Permission? Permission to visit your father on his sick bed, perhaps on his death bed? Repeated, Tresselian, impatiently, and permission from whom? From the villain, who, under disguise of friendship, abused every duty of hospitality, and stole thee from thy father's roof. Do him no slander, Tresselian, he whom thou speakest of wears a sword as sharp as thine, sharper a vain man. For the best deeds thou hast ever done in peace or war were as unworthy to be named with his, as thy obscure rank to match itself with the sphere he moves in. Leave me. Go, do mine errand to my father, and when he next sends to me, let him choose a more welcome messenger. Amy, reply, Tresselian, calmly, thou canst not move me by thy reproaches. Tell me one thing that I may bear at least one ray of comfort to my aged friend. This rank of his which thou dost boast, dost thou share it with him, Amy? Does he claim a husband's right to control thy motions? Stop thy base on mannered tongue, said the lady, to no question that derogates from my honour do I deign and answer. You have said enough in refusing to reply, answered Tresselian, and marked me, and happy as thou art, I am armed with thy father's full authority to command thy obedience, and I will save thee from the slavery of sin and of sorrow, even despite of thy self, Amy. Men is no violence here, exclaimed the lady, drawing back from him and alarmed at the determination expressed in his look and manner. Threaten me not, Tresselian, for I have means to repel force. But not, I trust, the wish to use them in so evil a cause, said Tresselian. With thy will, thine uninfluenced, free and natural will, Amy, thou canst not choose the state of slavery in dishonour. Thou hast been bound by some spell, and trapped by some deceit, art now detained by some compelled vow. But thus I break the charm. Amy, in the name of thine excellent, thy broken-hearted father, I command thee to follow me. As he spoke, he advanced and extended his arm, as with the purpose of laying hold upon her. But she shrunk back from his grasp, and uttered the scream which, as we before noticed, brought into the apartment, lamb-born and foster. The latter exclaimed, as soon as he entered, Fire and faggot, what have we here? Then, addressing the lady, in atone betwixt entreaty and command, he added, Uns-precious, madam, what makes you here out of bounds? Retire, retire, there is life and death in this matter. And you, friend, whomever you may be, leave this house, out with you, before my daggers hilt and your co-star'd become a quaintan. Draw, Mike, and Britus of the Nave. Not I, on my soul, replied lamb-born. He came hither in my company, and he is saved from me by my cutter's law. At least we meet again. But, Harkie, my Cornish comrade, you have brought a Cornish flaw of wind with you hither. A hurricano, as they call it in the Indies. Make yourself scarce, depart, vanish, or we'll have you summoned before the mayor of Hallgaber, and that before a Dunman and Ramhead meet. Reader's note, two headlands on the Cornish coast, the expressions are proverbial. End reader's note. Away, base-crew, said Tressylian, and you, madam, fare you well, when life lingers in your father's bosom, we'll leave him at the news I have to tell. He departed, the lady saying faintly as he left the room. Tressylian, be not rash, say no scandal of me. Here is proper gear, said Foster. I pray you go to your chamber, my lady, and let us consider how this is to be answered. Nay, terry not. I move not at your command, sir, answered the lady. Nay, but you must, fair lady, replied Foster. Excuse my freedom, but, by blood and nails, this is no time to strain courtesies. You must go to your chamber. Mike, follow the meddling cockscomb, and, as you desire to thrive, see him safely clear of the premises, while I bring this headstrong lady to reason. Draw thee to a man, and after him. I'll follow him, said Michael Lamborn, and see him fairly out of Flanders, but for hurting a man I have drunk my morning's draught with all, to his clean against my conscience. So, saying, he left the apartment. Tressylian, meanwhile, with hasty steps, pursued the first path which promised to conduct him through the wild and overgrown park in which the mansion of Foster was situated. Haste and distress of mind led his steps astray, and instead of taking the avenue which led towards the village, he chose another, which, after he had pursued it for some time, with a hasty and reckless step, conducted him to the other side of the domain, where a poster indoor opened through the wall, and led into the open country. Tressylian paused an instant. It was indifferent to him by what road he left, a spot now so onious to his recollections, but it was probable that the poster indoor was locked, and his retreat by that pass rendered impossible. I must make the attempt, however, he said to himself, the only means of reclaiming this lost, this miserable, this still most lovely and most unhappy girl must rest in her father's appeal to the broken laws of his country. I must haste to apprise him of this heart-rending intelligence. As Tressylian, thus conversing with himself, approached to try some means of opening the door, or climbing over it, he received there was a key put into the lock from the outside. It turned round, the bolt revolved, and a cavalier who entered, muffled in his riding-coat, and wearing a slouched hat with a drooping feather, stood at once within four yards of him who was desirous of going out. They exclaimed at once in tones of resentment and surprise, the one, Barney, the other, Tressylian. What make you here? was the stern question put by the stranger to Tressylian, when the moment of surprise was passed. What make you here, where your presence is neither expected nor desired? Nay, Barney, replied Tressylian. What make you here? Are you come to triumph over the innocence you have destroyed, as the vulture of Cary and Crow comes to batten on the lamb whose eyes it is first plucked out? Or are you come to encounter the merited vengeance of an honest man? Draw a dog and defend thyself. Tressylian drew his sword as he spoke, but Barney only laid his hand on the hilt of his own as he replied, Thou art mad, Tressylian. I own appearances are against me, but by every oath a priest can make, or a man can swear. Mistress Amy Robesart hath had no injury for me, and in truth I were somewhat loath to hurt you in this cause. Thou knowest I can fight. I've heard thee say so, Barney, replied Tressylian, but now me thinks I would feign have some better evidence than thine own word. That shall not be lacking if blade and hilt be but true to me, answered Barney. And drawing his sword with the right hand he threw his cloak around his left and attacked Tressylian with a vigor, which for a moment seemed to give him the advantage of the combat. But this advantage lasted not long. Tressylian, added to his spirit determined on revenge, a hand and eye admirably well adapted to the use of the repair. So that Barney, finding himself hard pressed in his turn, endeavoured to avail thyself of his superior strength by closing with his adversary. For this purpose he hazarded the receiving one of Tressylian's passes in his cloak, wrapped as it was around his arm, and near his adversary could extricate his rapier thus entangled. He closed with him, shortening his own sword at the same time, with the purpose of dispatching him. But Tressylian was on his guard and, unsheathing his pawn-yard, parried with the blade of that weapon, the home thrust which would otherwise have finished the combat and in the struggle which followed, displayed so much address as might have confirmed the opinion that he drew his origin from Cornwall, whose natives are such masters in the art of wrestling, as were the games of antiquity revived, might enable them to challenge all Europe to the ring. Barney in his ill-advised attempt received a fall so sudden and violent that his sword flew several paces from his hand, an air he could recover his feet, that if his antagonist was pointed to his throat. Give me the instant means of relieving the victim of thy treachery, said Tressylian, or take the last look of your creator's blessed son. And while Barney, too confused or too sullen to reply, made a sudden effort to arise, his adversary drew back his arm and would have executed his threat, but that the blow was arrested by the grasp of Michael Lamporn, who, directed by the clashing of swords, had come up just in time to save the life of Barney. Come, come, comrade, said Lamporn. Here is enough done and more than enough. Put up your fox and let us be jogging. The black bear growls for us. Off, abject, said Tressylian, striking himself free of Lamporn's grasp, darest thou come betwixt me and mine enemy? Abject, abject, repeated Lamporn. That shall be answered with cold steel, whenever a bowl of sack has washed out memory of the morning's draught that we had together. In the meanwhile, do you see, shog, tramp, be gone, we are two to one. He spoke truth, for Barney had taken the opportunity to regain his weapon, and Tressylian perceived it was madness to press the quarrel further against such odds. He took his purse from his side, and, taking out two gold nobles, flung them to Lamporn. There, Catechus, is thy morning's wage. Thou shall not say thou hast been my guide, unhired. Barney farewell. We shall meet, where there are none to come betwixt us. So sane he turned round and departed through the poster endure. Barney seemed to want the inclination, or perhaps the power, for his fall had been a severe one, to follow his retreating enemy, but he glared darkly as he disappeared and then addressed Lamporn. Art thou a comrade of fosters, good fellow? As worn friends, as the haft is to the knife, replied Michael Lamporn. Here is a broad piece for thee. Follow yonder, fellow, and see where he takes earth, and bring me word up to the mansion-house here. Cautious and silent thou, knave, as thou valious thy throat. Enough said, replied Lamporn, I can draw an assent, as well as a sleuth hound. Begotten then, said Barney, sheathing his rapier, and turning his back on Michael Lamporn, he walked slowly towards the house. Lamporn stopped but an instant to gather the nobles, which his late companion had flung towards him so unceremoniously, and muttered to himself, while he put them upon his purse, along with the gratuity of Barney. I spoke to yonder-goals of El Dorado. By St. Anthony there is no El Dorado for me and Marstamp equal to Barney Old England. It rains nobles by heaven, they lie on the grass as thick as dew-drops. You may have them for the gathering. And if I have not my share of such glittering dew-drops, may my sword melt like an icicle. End of Chapter 4 Chapter 5 of Kenilworth This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Kenilworth by Sir Walter Scott. Chapter 5 He was a man versed in the world as Pilate in his compass. The needle pointed ever to that interest, which was his lodestar, and he spread his sails with vantage to the gale of others' passion. The Deceiver, a Tragedy. Anthony Foster was still engaged in debate with this fair guest, who treated with scorn every entreaty and request that she would retire to her own apartment when a whistle was heard at the entrance door of the mansion. We are fairly sped now, said Foster. Yonder is thy Lord's signal, and what to say about the disorder which has happened in this household by my conscience? I know not. Some evil fortune dogs the heels of that unhanged rogue lamborn, and he escaped the gallows against every chance to come back and be the ruin of me. Peace, sir, said the lady, and undo the gate to your master. My Lord, my dear Lord, she then exclaimed, hasten to the entrance of the apartment, then added with a voice expressive of disappointment. Poo! it is but Richard Varney. I, madam, said Varney, entering and saluting the lady with a respectful obeisance, which he returned with a careless mixture of negligence and of displeasure. It is but Richard Varney, but even the first grey cloud should be acceptable when it lightens in the east, because it announces the approach of the Blessed Son. How? comes my Lord hither tonight? said the lady. Enjoyful, yet startled agitation. And Anthony Foster caught up the word and echoed the question. Varney replied to the lady. That is the word of purpose to attend her, and would have proceeded with some compliment when running to the door of the parlor she called aloud. Janet! Janet! come to my tiring room instantly. Then returning to Varney, she asked if her board sent any further commendations to her. This letter honoured madam, said he, taking from his bosom a small parcel wrapped in scarlet silk, and with it a token to the queen of his affections. With eager speed, the lady hastened to undo the silken string which surrounded the little packet and failing to unloose readily the knot with which it was secured. She again called loudly on Janet. Bring me a knife, scissors, aught that may undo this envious knot. May not my poor aponyard serve, honoured madam. Said Varney, presenting a small dagger of exquisite worthenship, which hung in his turkey-leather sword-belt. No, sir, replied the lady, rejecting the instrument which he offered, still aponyard shall cut no true love not of mine. It has cut many, however, said Anthony Foster, half aside, and looking at Varney. By this time the knot was disentangled without any other help than the neat and nimble fingers of Janet, a simply attired, pretty maiden, the daughter of Anthony Foster, who came running at the repeated call of her mistress. A necklace of orient pearl, the companion of the perfumed billet, was now hastily produced from the packet. The lady gave the one, after a slight glance, to the charge of her attendant, while she ran, or rather devoured, the contents of the other. Surely, lady, said Janet, gazing with admiration at the neck-string of pearls, the daughters of Tyre were no fairer neck jewels than these, and then the posy, for a neck that is fairer. Each pearl is worth a freehold. Each word in this dear paper is worth the whole string, my girl, but come to my tyrant room, girl, we must be brave, my Lord comes hither tonight. He bids me grace you, Master Varney, and to me his wish is law. I bid you to a collation in my bower this afternoon, and you too, Master Foster, give orders that all is fitting and that suitable preparations be made for my Lord's reception tonight. With these words she left the apartment. She takes state on her already, said Varney, and distributes the favour of her presence as if she were already the partner of his dignity. Well, it is wise to practice beforehand the part which Fortune prepares us to play. The young eagle must gaze at the sun ere he soars on strong wing to meet it. If holding her head aloft, said Foster, will keep her eyes from dazzling, I warn you the day will not stoop her crest. She will presently soar beyond reach of my whistle, Master Varney. I promise you she holds me already in slight regard. It is thine own fault, thou sullen, uninventive companion, answered Varney, who knows no mode of control save downright brute force. Can't thou not make home pleasant to her, with music and toys? Can't thou not make the out-of-doors frightful to her, with tales of goblins? Thou liveest here by the churchyard, and hast not even wood enough to raise a ghost, to scare thy females in a good discipline? Speak not thus, Master Varney, said Foster. The living I fear not, but I trifle not, nor toy with my dead neighbours of the churchyard. I promise you it requires a good heart to live so near it. Worthy Master Holdforth, the afternoon's lecturer of St. Antelans, had to soar fright there the last time he came to visit me. Hold thy superstitious tongue, answered Varney, and while thou talkest of visiting, answer me. Thou paltry knave, how came Tressylian to be at the poster-door? Tressylian, answered Foster, What know I of Tressylian? I never heard his name. Why, villain, it was the very Cornish Chuff, to whom old Sir Hugh Robsart destined his pretty Amy, and hither the hot-brain fool has come back to look after his fair runaway. There must be some order taken with him, for he thinks he hath wrong, and is not the mean hind that will sit down with it. Luckily he knows not of my lord, but thinks he has only me to deal with. But how, in the fiend's name, came he hither? Why with my glamborn? And you must know, answered Foster. And who is my glamborn? demanded Varney. By heaven, thou word best set up, a bush over thy door, and invite every stroller who passes by to see what thou shouldest keep secret, even from the sun and air. Aye, aye, this is a court-like requital of my service to you, Master Richard Varney, replied Foster. Does thou not charge me to seek out for thee a fellow who had a good sword and an unscrupulous conscience? And was I not busy in myself to find a fit man? For, thank heaven, my acquaintance lies not among such companions, when, as heaven would have it, this tall fellow, who is in all his qualities the very flashy knave thou didst wish, came hither to fix acquaintance upon me in the plentitude of his impudence. And I admitted his claim, thinking to do you a pleasure. And now see what thanks I get for disgracing myself by converse with him. And did he, said Varney, being such a fellow as thyself, only lacking, I suppose, thy present humor of hypocrisy, which lies as thin over thy heart ruffianly heart, as gold lacquer upon rusty iron? Did he, I say, bring the saintly, sawing Tresillian in his train? They came together by heaven, said Foster. And Tresillian, to speak heaven's truth, obtained a moment's interview with our pretty moffat while I was talking apart with Lamborn. Improvident villain, we are both undone, said Varney. She has, of late, been casting many a backward look to her father's halls, whenever her lordly lover leaves her alone. Should this preaching fool whistle her back to her old perch, we were but lost men. No fear of that, my master, replied Anthony Foster. She is in no mood to stoop to his lure, for she yelled out on seeing him as if an adder had stung her. That is good. Can't thou not get from thy daughter an inkling of what pass between them good Foster? I tell you plain, Master Varney, said Foster. My daughter shall not enter our purposes, or walk in our paths. They may suit me well enough, who know how to repent of my misdoings. But I will not have my child's soul, committed to peril, either for your pleasure or my lord's. I may walk among snares and pitfalls myself, because I have discretion. But I will not trust the poor Lamb among them. Why, thou suspicious fool, I was averse as thou art, that thy baby-faced girl should enter into my plans, or walk to hell at her father's elbow. But indirectly, thou mightst gain some intelligence of her. And so I did, Master Varney, answered Foster. And she said her lady called out upon the sickness of her father. Good, replied Varney. That is a hint worth catching, and I will work upon it. But the country must be rid of this trestlean. I would have cumbered no man about the matter, for I hate him, like strong poison. His presence is hemlock to me. And this day I have been rid of him, but that my foot slipped when to speak truth, had not thy comrade yonder come to my aid, and held his hand. I should have known by this time whether you and I have been treading the path to heaven or hell. And you can speak thus of such a risk, said Foster. You keep a stout heart, Master Varney. For me, if I did not hope to live many years and to have time for the great work of repentance, I would not go forward with you. Oh, thou shalt live as long as Methuselah, said Varney, and amass as much wealth as Solomon, and thou shalt repent so devoutly that thy repentance shall be more famous than thy villainy. And that is a bold word. For all this, Tressylian must be looked after. Thy ruffian yonder has gone to Doggan. It concerns our fortunes, Anthony. Aye, aye, said Foster sullenly. This is to be leaked with one who knows not even so much of scripture as that the laborer is worthy of his hire. I must, as usual, take all the trouble and risk. Risk? And what is the mighty risk, I pray you? This fellow will come prowling again about your domain or into your house, and if you take him for a housebreaker or a parkbreaker, is it not most natural you should welcome him with cold steel or hot lead? Even amastiff will pull down those who come near his kennel. And who shall blame him? Aye, I have amastiff's work and amastiff's wage among you, said Foster. Here have you, Master Barney, secured a good freehold estate out of this old, superstitious foundation. And I have put a poor lease of this mansion under you voidable at your honour's pleasure. Aye, and thou wouldst fame convert by leasehold into a copyhold. The thing may chance to happen, Anthony Foster, if thou dost good service for it. But softly, good Anthony. It is not the lending of room or two of this old house for heeping my lord's pretty parricot. Nay, it is not the shutting thy doors and windows to keep her from flying off that may deserve it. Remember, the manner and tithes are rated at the clear annual value of seventy-nine pounds, five shillings, and five pence half penny. Besides the value of the wood. Come, come, thou must be constable. Great and secret service may deserve both this and a better thing. And now let thy nave come and pluck off my boots. Get us some dinner and a cup of thy best wine. I must visit this mavis, brave and apparel, unruffled in aspect, and gay and temper. They part in, and at the hour of noon, which was then that of dinner, they again met at their meal. Barney gayly dressed like a courtier of the time, and even Anthony Foster improved in appearance as far as dress could amend an exterior so unfavorable. This alteration did not escape Barney. Then the meal was finished, the cloth removed, and they were left to their private discourse. Thou art gay as a gold-finch, Anthony, said Barney, looking at his host. Many things, thou wilt whistle a jig anon. But I crave your pardon. Thou would secure your ejection from the congregation of zealous botchers, the pure-hearted weavers, and the sanctified bakers of Appington, who let their ovens cool while their brains get heated. To answer you in the spirit, Master Barney, said Foster, were, excuse the parable, to fling sacred and precious things before swine. So I will speak to thee in the language of the world, which he who is king of the world hath taught thee to understand and to profit by in no common measure. Say, without world, honest Tony, replied Barney, for be it according to thine absurd faith, or according to thy most villainous practice, it cannot choose but be rare matter to qualify this cup of alacan. Thy conversation is relishing and poignant, and beats caviar, dried, meat's tongue, and all other provocadins that give sabre to good liquor. Well then, tell me, St. Anthony Foster, is not our good Lord and Master's turn better served, and his antechamber are more suitably filled with decent, God-fearing men, who will work as well in their own profit quietly and without worldly scandal, than that he should be manned and attended and followed by such open debauchers and ruffianly swordsmen and thynes, tithely, killigrew, this fellow lamborn, whom you have put me to seek out for you, and other such who bear the gallows in their face and murder in their right hand, who are a terror to peaceable men and a scandal to my Lord's service. O content you, good Master Anthony Foster, answered Barney, he that flies at all manner of gain must keep all kinds of hawks, both short and long-wind. The course my Lord holds is no easy one, and he must stand provided at all points with trusty retainers to meet each sort of service. He must have his gay courtier, like myself, to ruffle it in the presence-chamber, and to lay hand on hilt when any speaks in disparagement of my Lord's honour. I, said Foster, and to whisper a word for him into a fair lady's ear when he may not approach her himself. Then said Barney, going on without appearing to notice the interruption, he must have his lawyers, deep, subtle pioneers, to draw his contracts, his pre-contracts and his post-contracts, and to find the way to make the most of grants of church lands and commons and licenses for monopoly. And he must have physicians who can spice a cup or a coddle. And he must have his cabalist, like Jack and Alan, for conjuring up the devil. And he must have ruffling swordsmen who would fight the devil when he is raised and at the wildest. And above all, without prejudice to others, he must have such godly, innocent, puritanic souls as thou on his Anthony, who defy Satan and do his work at the same time. You would not say, Master Barney, said Foster, that our good lord and master, whom I hold to be fulfilled in all nobleness, would use such base and sinful means to rise as thy speech points at. Tochmen, said Barney, never look at me with so sad a brow. You trap me not, nor am I in your power, as your weak brain may imagine. Because I name to you freely the engines, the springs, the screws, the tackle and braces by which great men rise in stirring times. Say as thou our good lord is fulfilled of all nobleness. Amen, and so be it. He has the more need to have those about him who are unscrupulous in his service and who, because they know that his fall will overwhelm and crush them, must wager both blood and brain, soul and body, in order to keep him aloft. And this I tell thee, because I care not who knows it. You speak truth, Master Barney, said Anthony Foster. He that is head of a party, but abode on a wave, that raises not itself, but is moved upward by the billow which it floats upon. Thou art metaphorical on, as Anthony replied Barney, that velvet doublet have made an oracle of thee. We will have thee to Oxford in peace in the arts. And, in the meantime, hast thou arranged all the matters which were sent from London and put the western chambers in such fashion as may answer my lord's humor. They may serve a king on his bridal day, said Anthony, and I promise you that Dame Amy sits in the meander as proud and gay as if she were the queen of Shiva. Tis the better, good Anthony, answered Barney. We found our future fortunes on her good liking. We built on sand, then, said Anthony Foster, for supposing that she sails away to court in all her lord's dignity and authority, how is she to look back upon me, who am her jailer as it were, to detain her here against her will, keeping her a caterpillar on an old wall when she would faint be a painted butterfly in a court garden. Then, said Barney, I will show her all thou hast done in this matter was good service both to my lord and her. And when she chips the egg shell and walks alone, she shall own we have hatched her greatness. Look to yourself, master Barney, said Foster, you may misreken foully in this matter. She gave you but a frosty perception this morning, and I think looks on you as well as me in the evil eye. You mistake her, Foster, you mistake her utterly. To me she is bound by all the ties which can't secure her to one who has been the means of gratifying both her love and admission. Who was it that took the obscure Amy Robbsart, the daughter of an impoverished and noted knight, the destined bride of a moon-struck moping enthusiast, like Edmund Tresselion, and held out to her in prospect the brightest fortune in England or perchance in Europe. Why, man, it was I, as I have often told thee, that found opportunity for their secret meetings. It was I who watched the wood while he beat for the deer. It was I who to this day am blamed by her family as companion of her flight. And where I in their neighborhood would be feigned to wear a shirt all in linen, lest my rib should be acquainted with Spanish steel. Who carried their letters? I. Who amused the old knight and Tresselion? I. Who planned her escape? It was I. It was I in short, Dick Varney, who pulled this pretty little daisy from the slowly nook and placed in the proudest bonnet in Britain. I, Master Varney, said Foster, that had the matter remain with you, the flower had been stuck so slightly into the cap that the first breath of a changeable breeze of passion had blown the poor daisy to the common. She should consider, said Varney, smiling, the true faith I owed my lord and master prevented me at first from counseling marriage. And yet I did counsel marriage when I saw she would not be satisfied without the sacrament or the ceremony, without an Anthony. Still she has you at feud on another score, said Foster, and I tell it you that you may look to yourself in time. She would not hide her splendor in the stark lantern of an old monastic house, but would faint shine a countess amongst countesses. Very natural, very right, answered Varney. But what have I to do with that? She may shine through horn or through crystal my lord's pleasure. I have not to say against it. She deems that you have an oar upon that side of the boat, master Varney, replied Foster, and that you can fool it or know at your good pleasure. In a word, she ascribes a secrecy and obscurity in which she has kept to your secret counsel to my lord and to my strict agency. And so she loves us both as a sentence man, loves his judge and his jailer. She must love us better ere she leave this place, Anthony, answered Varney. If I have counseled for weighty reasons that she remain here for a season, I can also advise her being brought forth in the full blow of her dignity. But I were mad to do so, holding so near a place to my lord's person. Were she mine enemy? Bear this truth in upon her as occasion offers, Anthony, and I shall be the one who is exalting you in her ear and exalting you in her opinion. Kamei Kavi. It is a proverb all over the world. The lady must know her friends and be made to judge of the power they have of being her enemies. Meanwhile, watch her strictly, but with all the outward observance that thy rough nature will permit. Tis an excellent thing that Solon Lunk and Bulldog humor of thine. Thou shouldest thank God for it. And so should my lord for when there is odd harsh of hard nature to be done. Thou dost it, as if it flowed from thine own natural doggedness and not from orders. And so my lord escapes the scandal. But Hark, someone knocks at the gate. Look out at the window. Let no one enter. This were an ill night to be interrupted. It is he whom we spoke of before dinner, said Foster, and looked through the casement. It is Michael Lamporn. Oh, admit him, by all means, said the courtier. He comes to give some account of his guest. It imports us much to know the movements of Edmund Tresilion. Admit him, I say, but bring him not hither. I will come to you presently in the Abbot's library. Foster left the room and the courtier, who remained behind, paced the parlor more than once in deep thought. His arms folded on his bosom and till at length he gave vent to his meditations in broken words, which we have somewhat enlarged and connected, that his soliloquy may be intelligible to the reader. "'Tis true,' he said, suddenly stopping and resting his right hand on the table at which they had been sitting. This base churl hath found them the very depth of my fear and I have been unable to disguise it from him. I would, it were is true that I love not her. Idiot that I was to move her on my own behalf when wisdom bade me to be a true broker to my lord. And this fatal error has placed me more at her discretion than a wise man who will only be at that of the best piece of painted eaves flesh of them all. Since the hour that my policy made so perilous a slip, I cannot look at her without fear and fondness so strangely mingled that I know not whether worried at my choice I would rather possess or ruin her. But she must not leave this retreat until I am assured on what terms we understand. My lord's interest and so far it is my own for if he sinks I fall in his train demands concealment of this obscure marriage. And besides I will not lend her my arm to her chair of state that she may set her foot on my neck when she is fairly seated. I must work an interest in her either through love or through fear. And who knows but I may yet reap the sweetest and best revenge for her former scorn. That were indeed a masterpiece of court-like art. Let me but once be her councilkeeper let her confide to me a secret did it but concern the robbery of a linen's nest and fair countess thou art mine own. He again paced the room in silence, stopped filled and drank a cup of wine as if to compose the agitation of his mind, and muttering now for a close heart and an open and unruffled brow he left the apartment. End Chapter 5 Chapter 6 of Kenilworth The sleeper-box recording is in the public domain Kenilworth by Sir Walter Scott Chapter 6 The doves of summer night did fall, the moon sweet region of the sky silvered the walls of Cumner Hall and many an oak that grew thereby. Mikkel Note to reader, this first is the commencement of the ballad already quoted as what suggested the novel. End Note Four apartments which occupy the western side of the old quadrangle at Cumner Place have been fitted up with extraordinary splendor. This had been the work of several days prior to that on which our story opened. Workmen sent from London and not permitted to leave the premises until the work was finished had converted the apartments in that side of the building from the dilapidated appearance of a dissolved monastic house into the semblance of a royal palace. A mystery was observed in all these arrangements. The workmen came hither and returned by night and all measures were taken to prevent the prying curiosity of the villagers from observing or speculating upon the changes which were taking place in the mansion of their once indigent but now wealthy neighbor Anthony Foster. Accordingly the secrecy desire was so far preserved that nothing got abroad but vague and uncertain reports which were received and repeated but without much credit being attached to them. On the evening of which we treat the new and highly decorated suite of rooms were for the first time illuminated and that with a brilliancy which might have been visible half a dozen miles off had not oak and shutters carefully secured with bolt and padlock and mantled with long curtains of silk and a velvet deeply fringe with gold prevented the slightest gleam of radiance from being seen without. The principal apartments as we have seen were for a number each opening into the other. Access was given to them by large-scale staircase as they were then called the visual length and height which had its landing place at the door of an antechamber shaped somewhat like a gallery. This apartment the Abbot had used as an occasional council room but it was now beautifully wainscotted with dark, foreign wood of a brown color and bearing a high polish said to have been brought from the western Indies and to have been brought in London with infinite difficulty and much damage to the tools The dark color of this finishing was relieved by the number of lights in silver sconces which hung against the walls and by six large and richly framed pictures by the first masters of the age. A messy oaken table placed at the lower end of the apartment served to accommodate such as chose to play at the then fashionable game of Shubbleborn and there was at the other end an elevated gallery for the musicians or minstrels who might be summoned to increase the festivity of the evening From this antechamber opened a banqueting room of moderate size but brilliant enough to dazzle the eyes of the spectator with the richness of its furniture The walls lately so bare and ghastly were now clothed with hangings of sky blue velvet and silver The chairs were of ebony richly carved with cushions corresponding to the hangings and the place of the silver sconces which enlightened the antechamber was supplied by a huge chandelier of the same precious metal The floor was covered with the Spanish foot cloth or carpet on which flowers and fruits were represented in such glowing and natural colors that you hesitated to place the foot on such exquisite workmanship The table of old English oak stood ready covered with the finest linen and a large portable court cupboard was placed with the leaves of its embossed folding doors displayed showing the shelves within decorated with a full display of plate and porcelain In the midst of the table stood a salt-saller of Italian workmanship a beautiful and splendid piece of plate about two feet high into a representation of the giant Brierius whose hundred hands of silver presented to the guests various sorts of spices or condiments to season their food with all The third apartment was called the withdrawing room It was hung with the finest tapestry representing the fall of Phaeton For the looms of Flanders were now much occupied on classical subjects The principal seat of this apartment was a chair of state raised a step or two from the floor and large enough to contain two persons It was surmounted by a canopy which as well as the cushions, side curtains and the very foot cloth was composed of crimson velvet embroidered with seed pearl On the top of the canopy were two coronets resembling those of an earl and countess Stools covered with velvet and some cushions disposed in the Moorish fashion and ornamented with arabesque needlework supplied the place of chairs in this apartment which contained musical instruments and embroidery frames and other articles for ladies pastime Besides lesser lights the withdrawing room was illuminated by four tall torches of virgin wax each of which was placed in the grasp of the statue representing an armed Moor who held in his left arm a round buckler of silver highly polished interposed betwixt his breast and the light which was thus brilliantly reflected as from a crystal mirror The sleeping chamber belonging to this splendid suite of apartments was decorated in a taste less showy but not less rich than had been displayed in the others Two silver lamps fed with perfumed oil diffused at once a delicious odor and a trembling twilight-seeming shimmer through the quiet apartment It was carpeted so thick that the heaviest step could not have been heard and the bed richly heaped with down was spread with an ample cover lid of silk and gold from under which peeped forth cambered sheets and blankets as white as the lambs which yielded the fleece that made them The curtains were a blue velvet lined with crimson silk deeply festooned with gold and embroidered with the loves of Cupid and Psyche On the toilet was a beautiful Venetian mirror in a frame of silver filigree and beside it stood a gold poset dish to contain the night draft A pair of pistols and a dagger mounted with gold were displayed near the head of the bed being the arms for the night which were presented to honored guests rather it may be supposed in the way of ceremony than from any apprehension of danger We must not omit to mention what was more to the credit of the manners of the time that in a small recess by a taper were disposed two hasics of velvet and gold corresponding with the bed furniture before a desk of carved ebony This recess had formerly been the private oratory of the Abbot but the crucifix was removed and instead they were placed on the desk two books of common prayer richly bound and embossed with silver with this enviable sleeping apartment which was so far removed from every sound save that of the wind signed among the oaks of the park that Morpheus might have coveted it for his own proper repose corresponded to wardrobes or dressing rooms as they are now termed suitably furnished and in a style the same magnificence which we have already described It ought to be added that a part of the building in the adjoining wing was occupied by the kitchen and its offices and served to accommodate the personal attendants of the great and wealthy nobleman for whose use these magnificent preparations had been made The divinity for whose sake this temple had been decorated was well worthy the cost and pains which had been bestowed She was seated in the withdrawing room which we have described surveying with the pleased eye of natural and innocent vanity the splendor which had been so suddenly created as it were in her honour for as her own residence that come to place form the cause of the mystery observed in all the preparations for opening these apartments it was sedulously arranged that until she took possession of them she should have no means of knowing what was going forward in that part of the ancient building or of exposing herself to be seen by the workmen engaged in the decorations She had been therefore introduced on that evening to a part of the mansion which she had never yet seen so different from all the rest that it appeared in comparison like an enchanted palace and when she first examined and occupied these splendid rooms it was with the wild and unrestrained joy of a rustic beauty who finds herself suddenly invested with a splendor which her most extravagant wishes had never imagined and at the same time with the keen feeling of an affectionate heart which knows that all the enchantment that surrounds her is the work of the great magician Love The Countess Amy therefore for to that rank she was exalted by her private but solemn union with England's proudest earl had for a time flitted hastily from room to room admiring each new proof of her lover and her bridegroom's taste and feeling that admiration enhanced as she recollected that all she gazed upon was one continued proof of his ardent and devoted affection How beautiful are these hangings How natural these paintings which seem to contend with life How richly broad is that plate which looks as if all the galleons of Spain had been intercepted on the broad seas to furnish it forth and oh Janet she exclaimed repeatedly to the daughter of Anthony Foster the close attendant who with equal curiosity but somewhat less ecstatic joy followed on her mistress's footsteps oh Janet how much more delightful to think that all these fair things have been assembled by his love for the love of me and that this evening this very evening which grows darker every instant I shall thank him more for the love that has created such an unimaginable paradise than for all the wonders it contains The Lord is to be thanked first said the pretty Puritan who gave the lady the kind and courteous husband whose love has done so much for thee I too have done my poor share but if you thus run wildly from room to room the toil of my crispine my curling pins will vanish like the frostwork on the window when the sun is high Thou sayest true Janet said the young and beautiful Countess stopping suddenly from her tripping race of enraptured delight and looking at herself from head to foot in a large mirror such as she had never before seen and which indeed had few to match it even in the Queen's Palace true Janet, she answered as she saw with pardonable self-applause the noble mirror reflect such charms as resulted presented to its fair and polished surface I have more of the milk made than the Countess with these cheeks flushed with haste and all these brown curls which you labor to bring to order strain as wild as the tendrils of an unpruned vine my falling rough is chafed too and shows the neck and bosom more than as modest and seemly come Janet, we will practice state we will go to the withdrawing room my good girl, and now shall put these rebel locks in order and imprison within lace and camber the bosom that beats too high they went to the withdrawing apartment accordingly where the Countess playfully stretched herself upon the pile of moorish cushions half sitting half reclining half wrapped in her own thoughts half listening to the prattle of her attendant while she was in this attitude and with a corresponding expression betwixt listlessness and expectation on her fine and intelligent features you might have searched sea and land without finding anything half so expressive or half so lovely the wreath of brilliance which mixed with her dark brown hair did not match in luster the hazel eye which a light brown eyebrow penciled with exquisite delicacy and long eyelashes of the same color relieved and shaded the exercise she had just taken her excited expectation and gratified vanity spread a glow over her fine features which had been sometimes censured as beauty as well as art has her minute critics for being rather too pale the milk white pearls of the necklace which she wore the same which she had just received as a true love token from her husband were excelled in purity by her teeth and by the color of her skin saving where the blush of pleasure and self satisfaction had somewhat stained the neck with a shade of light crimson now, have done with these busy fingers Janet she said to her handmaiden who was still previously employed in bringing her hair and her dress into order have done I say I must see your father ere my lord arise and also master Richard Barney whom my lord has highly in his esteem but I could tell that of him would lose him favor oh do not do so good my lady replied Janet leave him to God who punishes the wicked in his own time but do not you cross Barney's path for so thoroughly hath he my lord's ear that few have throven who have thwarted his courses and from whom had you this my most righteous Janet said the countess or why should I keep terms with so mean a gentleman as Barney being as I am wife to his master and patron name Adam replied Janet Foster your relationship knows better than I but I have heard my father say he would rather cross a hungry wolf than thwart Richard Barney in his projects and he's often charged me to have the care of holding commerce with him thy father said well girl for thee replied the lady and I dareswear met well it is a pity though his face and manner do little match his true purpose for I think his purpose may be true doubt it not my lady answered Janet doubt not that my father purposes well though he is a plain man and his blunt looks may belie his heart I will not doubt it girl word only for thy sake and yet he has one of those faces which men tremble when they look on I think even my mother Janet nay have done with that poking iron could hardly look upon him without quaking if it were so madam answered Janet Foster my mother had those who could keep her in honourable countenance why even you my lady both trembled and blushed when Barney brought the letter from my lord you are bold damsel said the countess rising from the cushions on which she sat half reclined in the arms of her attendant know that there are causes of trembling which have nothing to do with fear but Janet she added relapsing into the good nature and familiar tone which was natural to her believe me I will do what credit I can to your father and the rather that you sweetheart are his child alas alas she added a sudden sadness passing over her fine features and her eyes filling with tears I ought the rather to hold sympathy with thy kind heart that my own poor father is uncertain of my fate and they say lie sick and sorrowful for my worthless sake but I will soon cheer him the news of my happiness and advancement will make him young again and that I may cheer him the sooner she wiped her eyes as she spoke I must be cheerful myself my lord must not find me insensible to his kindness or sorrowful when he snatches a visit to his recluse after so long an absence be merry Janet the night wears on and my lord must soon arrive call thy father hither and call Varney also I cherish resentment against neither and though I may have some room to be displeased with both it shall be their own fault if ever complain against them reaches the earl through my means call them hither Janet Janet Foster obeyed her mistress and in a few minutes after Varney entered the withdrawn room with the graceful ease and unclouted front of an accomplished courtier skilled under the veil of external politeness to disguise his own feelings and to penetrate those of others Anthony Foster plotted into the apartment after him his natural gloomy vulgarity of aspect seeming to become yet more remarkable from his clumsy attempt to conceal the mixture of anxiety and dislike with which he looked on her over whom he had hitherto exercised so severe control now so splendidly attired and decked with so many pledges of the interest which she possessed in her husband's affections the plundering reverence which he made rather at than to the countess had confession in it it was like the reverence which the criminal makes to the judge when he at once owns his guilt and implores mercy which is at the same time an impudent and embarrassed attempt at defense or extenuation a confession of a fault and an entreaty for lenity Varney who in right of his gentle blood had pressed into the room before Anthony Foster knew better what to say than he and said it with more assurance and a better grace the countess greeted him indeed with an appearance of cordiality which seemed a complete amnesty for whatever she might have to complain of she rose from her seat and advanced two steps towards him holding forth her hand as she said Master Richard Varney you brought me this morning such welcome tidings that if your surprise and joy made me neglect my lord and husband's charge to receive you with distinction we offer you our hands sir reconciliation I am unworthy to touch it said Varney dropping on one knee save as a subject honors that of a prince he touched with his lips those spare and slender fingers so richly loaded with rings and jewels then rising with graceful gallantry was about to hand her to the chair of state when she said no good master Richard Varney I take not my place there until my lord himself conducts me I am for the present but a disguise countess and will not take ding in the on me until authorized by him whom I derive it from I trust my lady said Foster that in doing the commands of my lord or husband in your restraint and so forth I have not incurred your displeasure seeing that I did but my duty towards your lord and mine for heaven as holy writ saith hath given the husband supremacy and dominion over the wife I think it run so or something like it I receive at this moment so pleasant a surprise master Foster answered the countess that I cannot but excuse the rigid fidelity which secluded me from these apartments until they had assumed an appearance so new and so splendid I lady said Foster it hath cost many a fair crown and that more need not be wasted than is absolutely necessary I leave you till my lord's arrival with good master Richard Barney who as I think hath somewhat to say to you from your most noble lord and husband Janet follow me to see that I'll be in order No master Foster said the countess we will your daughter remains here in our apartment out of earshot however the countess Barney hath thought to say to me from my lord Foster made his clumsy reverence and departed with an aspect which seemed to grudge the profuse expense which had been wasted upon changing his house from a barren ruinous range to an asiatic palace when he was gone his daughter took her embroidery frame and went to establish herself at the bottom of the apartment while Richard Barney with a profoundly took the lowest stool he could find and placing it by the side of the pile of cushions on which the countess had now again seated herself sat with his eyes for a time fixed on the ground and in profound silence I thought master Barney said the countess when she saw he was not likely to open the conversation that you had something to communicate from my lord and husband so at least I understood master Foster and therefore I removed my weighty maid if I am mistaken I will recall her to my side for her needle is not so absolutely perfect intent and cross stitch but that my superintendence is advisable Lady said Barney Foster was partly mistaken of my purpose it was not from but of your noble husband and my approved and most noble patron that I am led and indeed bound to speak the theme is most welcome sir said the countess whether be of or from my noble husband but be brief for I expect his hasty approach briefly then madam replied Barney and boldly for my argument requires both haste and courage you have this day seen Tressylian I have sir and what of that answered the lady somewhat sharply nothing that concerns me lady Barney replied with humility but thank you honored madam that your lord will hear it with equal equanimity and wherefore should he not to me alone was Tressylian's visit embarrassing and painful for he brought news of my good father's illness of your father's illness madam answered Barney it must have been sudden then very sudden that my lord's instance found the good night on the hunting field cheering his beagles with his wanted jovial fill cry I trust Tressylian has but forged this news he hath his reasons madam as you well know for disquieting your present happiness you do him injustice master Barney replied the countess with animation you do him much injustice he is the freest the most open the most gentle heart that breathes my honorable lord ever accepted I know not one to whom falsehood is more odious than to Tressylian I crave your pardon madam said Barney I meant the gentleman no injustice I knew not how nearly his cause affected you a man may in some circumstances disguise the truth for fair and honest purpose for where to be always spoken and upon all occasions this were no world to live in you have a courtly conscience master Barney said the countess and your veracity will not I think interrupt your preferment in the world such as it is but touching Tressylian I must do him justice for I have done him wrong as none knows better than now Tressylian's conscience is of other mold the world thou speakest of has not that which could bribe him from the way of truth and honor and for living in it with a soiled fame the ermine would as soon seek to lodge in the den of the foul pole cat for this my father loved him for this I would have loved him if I could and yet in this case he had what seemed to him unknowing a like of my marriage and to whom I was united such powerful reasons to withdraw me from this place that I well trusted he exaggerated much of my father's disposition and that thy better news may be the truer believe me they are madam answered Barney I pretend not to be a champion of that same naked virtue called truth to the very utrons I can consent that her charms be hidden with avail were it but for decency's sake but you must think lower of my head and heart than is due to one whom my noble lord means to call his friend if you suppose I could willfully and unnecessarily palm upon your ladyship a falsehood so soon to be detected in a matter which concerns your happiness master Barney said the countess I know that my lord esteems you and holds you a faithful and a good pilot in those seats in which he has spread so high and so venturous assail do not suppose therefore I meant hardly by you when I spoke the truth in Tristlean's vindiction I am as you well know country bread and like plain rustic truth better than courtly compliment but I must change my fashions with my sphere I presume true madam said Barney smiling and though you speak now in jest it will not be a miss that in earnest your presence speech had some connection with your real purpose a court dame take the most noble the most virtuous the most unimpeachable that stands around our queen's throne would for example have shunned to speak the truth or what she thought such in praise of a discarded suitor before the dependent and confident of her noble husband and wherefore said the countess coloring impatiently should I not do justice to Tristlean's worth before my husband's friend before my husband himself before the whole world and with the same openness said Barney your leadership will this night tell my noble lord your husband that Tristlean has discovered your place of residence so anxiously concealed from the world and that he has had an interview with you unquestionably said the countess it will be the first thing I tell him together with every word Tristlean said and that I answered I shall speak my own shame in this for Tristlean's reproaches less just than he esteemed them were not altogether unmerited I will speak therefore with pain but I will speak and speak all your leadership will do your pleasure answered Barney but me thinks it were as well since nothing calls for so frank a disclosure wear yourself this pain and my noble lord the disquiet and master Tristlean since the like he must be thought of in the matter the danger which is like to ensue I can see not of all these terrible consequences said the lady compositely unless by imputing to my noble lord unworthy thoughts which I am sure never harbored in his generous heart far be it from me to do so Barney and then after a moment silence he added with a real or affected plainness a manner very different from his usual smooth courtesy come madam I will show you that a courtier dares speak truth as well as another when it concerns the wheel of those whom he honors and regards I and although it may infer his own danger he waited as if to receive commands or at least permission to go on but as the lady remained silent he proceeded but obviously with caution look around you he said noble lady and observed the barriers with which this place is surrounded the studious mystery with which the brightest jewel that England possesses is secluded from the admiring gaze see with what rigor your walks are circumscribed and your movement restrained by the lack of yonder churlish foster consider all this and judge for yourself what can be the cause my lord's pleasure answer the countess and I am bound to seek no other motive his pleasure it is indeed said Barney and his pleasure arises out of a love worthy of the object which inspires it but he who possesses a treasure and who values it the value he puts upon it to secure it from the depredations of others what needs all this talk master Barney said the lady in reply you would have me believe that my noble lord is jealous suppose it true I know a cure for jealousy indeed madam said Barney it is replied the lady to speak the truth to my lord at all times to hold in my mind and my thoughts before him is pure a polished mirror so that when he looks into my heart he shall only see his own features reflected there I am mute madam answered Barney and as I have no reason to grieve for Tresilion who would have my heart's blood were he able I shall reconcile myself easily to what may befall the gentleman in consequence of your frank disclosure of his having presumed to intrude upon your solitude you who know my lord so much better than I will judge if he be likely to bear the insult unevent nay if I could think myself the cause of Tresilion's ruin said the Countess I have already occasioned him so much distress I might be brought to be silent and yet what will it avail since he was seen by Foster and I think by someone else no no Barney urgent no more to my lord and with such pleading for Tresilion's folly I shall dispose my lord's generous heart rather to serve than to punish him your judgment madam said Barney as far superior to mine especially as you may if you will prove the ice before you step on it by mentioning Tresilion's name to my lord and observing how he endorses it for Foster and his attendant they know not Tresilion by sight and I can easily give them some reasonable excuse for the appearance of an unknown stranger the lady paused for an instant and then replied if Barney it be indeed true that Foster knows not as yet that the man he saw was Tresilion I own I were unwilling he should learn what no wise concerns him he bears himself already with austerity enough and I wish him not to be judged or in my affairs Tush said Barney what has the surly groom to do with your ladyship's concerns no more surely than the band dog which watches his courtyard if he is not distasteful to your ladyship I have interest enough to have in exchange for a seneshaw that shall be more agreeable to you Master Barney said the countess let us drop this theme when I complain of the attendants whom my lord has placed around me it must be to my lord himself Hark! I hear the trampling of horse he comes, he comes she exclaimed jumping up in ecstasy I cannot think it is he said Barney or that you can hear the tread of his horse through the closely mantled casements stop me not Barney my ears are keener than mine it is he but madam exclaimed Barney anxiously and still placing himself in her way I trust that what I have spoken in humble duty and service will not be turned to my ruin I hope that my faithful advice will not be berried to my prejudice I implore that content thee man, content thee said the countess and quit my skirt you are too bold to detain me content thyself, I think not of thee at this moment the folding doors flew wide open and a man of majestic mean muffled in the folds of a long dark riding cloak entered the apartment End Chapter 6